NC GOP Candidate Hires Law Firm Amid Controversial CNN Report

In a recent development, Mark Robinson, the Republican gubernatorial candidate for North Carolina, has announced the hiring of a law firm to investigate a controversial CNN report. The report, released approximately one week ago, alleges that Robinson made explicit racial and sexual posts on a pornography website's message board over a decade ago.

Robinson, who made history in 2021 as North Carolina's first African American Lieutenant Governor, has vehemently denied authoring the messages. The candidate has engaged the Binnall Law Group, based in Alexandria, Virginia, to examine the origins of what he terms "false smears." This move comes as the North Carolina gubernatorial race, held every four years, intensifies.

The allegations have caused significant upheaval within the Republican party. Several GOP members have expressed concern, urging Robinson to swiftly refute the accusations or risk losing support. The Republican Governors Association, founded in 1963, has already withdrawn its backing, potentially impacting millions of dollars in advertising for Robinson's campaign.

The controversy has led to a mass exodus of Robinson's top campaign staff and raised anxieties among Republican officials. They fear the situation could negatively affect other key races, including the presidential contest between Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in this crucial swing state.

Thom Tillis, a U.S. Senator from North Carolina since 2015, has proposed a Friday deadline for Robinson to present evidence that could form the basis for litigation against CNN. The news network, launched in 1980 as the first 24-hour all-news television channel, has not yet responded to requests for comment on their report.

The allegations against Robinson include referring to himself as a "black NAZI," expressing enjoyment of transgender pornography, and making derogatory comments about Martin Luther King Jr., who was assassinated on April 4, 1968. The report also claims Robinson stated a preference for Hitler over then-President Obama in 2012.

While Robinson's campaign faces these challenges, his Democratic opponent, Josh Stein, who has served as North Carolina's Attorney General since 2017, appears to be benefiting from the situation. Recent polls show Stein leading Robinson, and campaign spending data from AdImpact indicates that Stein and his allied groups have significantly outspent Robinson's camp during the general election period.

The controversy has also affected Robinson's relationship with the Trump campaign. Despite previous endorsements, Robinson was notably absent from Trump's recent rally in Wilmington, the largest city in southeastern North Carolina. Trump is scheduled to hold another event in the state today, September 25, 2024.

As the situation unfolds, it's worth noting that the deadline for any North Carolina gubernatorial candidate to withdraw from the race passed on September 19, 2024. This leaves Robinson and the Republican party with limited options as they navigate this challenging political landscape.

The outcome of this controversy could have far-reaching implications, not only for the gubernatorial race but also for other key positions on the ballot. As North Carolina's governor serves a four-year term with the possibility of one re-election, the stakes are high for both parties in this crucial election.

"I will be coming after CNN full throttle."

As the political drama continues to unfold in North Carolina, voters and political observers alike will be closely watching how Robinson and the Republican party respond to these allegations in the coming days and weeks.